Analysis exploring air quality inequality across U.S. counties and territories using EPA AQI data.
Project by: Kelly Chang, Jennie Zheng, Emily Chi
How is exposure to unhealthy air quality distributed across U.S. counties and states, and what regional patterns emerge in air pollution risk over time?
Why We Care
Identifying where unhealthy air exposure is concentrated is important for understanding potential public health risks, as repeated exposure to poor air quality is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Uneven exposure patterns across regions raise concerns about fairness in access to clean air and highlight areas where further investigation may be needed. These findings also support more informed decision making by showing how exposure differs across geographic scales and over time.
States that Experience the Most Unhealthy or Hazardous Days